Peter J. Healy's Online Review Report Card

I was seen by Dr. Healy in the E.R. I began experiencing excruciating back and right leg pain one evening after swinging my 68lb Staffy around while he tugged on a rope. I'd never had back pain before (except sore muscles, but this was NOT a muscle-type pain). I'm not a "wimp" when it comes to pain! e.g. I gave birth to both my children without a drop of pain medicine or an epidural. But this pain was in my back and coming from deep in my butt cheek going all the way down my leg. I called my GP's office the next morning after an awful night of no sleep due to unbelievable pain. They didn't have any available appointments for over 2 weeks so I had my husband come home from work so he could take me to the hospital. I was the only person in the waiting room (it was around 10am on a Monday morning) but I had to wait for over 45 minutes. It was awful. I realize how triage works, but I found it strange (and ridiculous) that I had to wait that long. It was absolutely horrible due to the pain (I really cannot describe how bad it hurt). I was finally taken to a room and 2 nurses came in to ask questions. They asked me to rate my pain and I said it was a 9/10 and that it literally hurt only slightly less than giving birth to my children. The woman repeated that to me as if I was making it up. I don't know why they ask if they're not going to believe you. The only other time I had been to the ER was when I broke my wrist several years prior, so her doubt and attitude was entirely unwarranted. When I asked her what my blood pressure was she told me 172/94! It had never been that high and she said not to worry that it was probably because of the pain. I wanted to be snarky and say, "Ya think?! I just told you how much pain I'm in and you didn't seem to believe me!" Instead I continued being polite and patient. Finally after another almost-40 minutes Dr. Healy came in and I explained everything. I told him I wasn't even able to use the bathroom without my husband's help to lean forward and use him to prop myself up. He checked my reflexes, asked me a few more questions and said he would get me something for the pain. I thought, "THANK GOD!" A nurse returned about 20 minutes later with several Prednisone tablets. She said these would help with the pain. I happen to be in the medical profession as well, although I never tell providers that because 1) I don't want to seem like I expect preferential treatment, and 2) I like to see how they treat people who they THINK have no medical knowledge. I took them and as soon as she left I began to cry. I was in so much pain and so frustrated with the rude staff (if being busy or dealing with stress makes you rude, or if you're lacking in the compassion department, working in healthcare is the wrong place for you)! My husband went out and ask that Dr. Healy return. Finally he came back in and I asked him what was wrong with my back (since he didn't bother to explain that initially) and if I could have something for the pain. He said that one of the discs in my back was likely bulging (I forget the exact terms he used) pressing on the nerve that runs from my back to my leg. I asked him if I would be having any radiographs so we'd know exactly what was wrong. He, VERY RUDELY, replied "I just told you what's wrong." When I reminded him that I'd like something for the pain, he said the nurse charted that she'd already given me something. I was not going to argue the appropriateness of giving someone prednisone for 9/10 pain. I was ready to have my husband carry my out of there at that point! He never gave me anything for the pain, but upon discharge did write a script for 10 tablets of 5mg Vicodin. After an MRI from my now neurosurgeon I learned that I have Degenerative Disc Disease and TWO stage 4 disc herniations. The surgeon knew how painful those were and has treated my ailments and pain appropriately. I will NEVER return to IU Saxony E.R. where Dr. Peter Healy is employed unless it's life threatening. He (and the staff I encountered) is rude, judgmental and seems to treat everyone like liars who only want pain medicine. Unacceptable!